( 1 2 ) United S ta tes Pa tent

Rozum et a ] .
US 0081 2 7481 B2
US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2
( 1 0) Pa tent N 0. :
( 45 ) Da te of Pa tent:
( 5 4)
( 75 )
( 73 )
( * )
( 2 1 )
( 2 2 )
( 6 5 )
( 5 1 )
( 5 2 )
( 5 8)
MODEL1 91 1 S EMIAUTOMATIC PIS TOL
THUMB S AFETY
Inv entors : Gregory T. Rozum, Th oma s ton, CT
( US ) ; J erol d R. Crow l ey, Col c h es ter,
CT ( US ) ; Pa ul M. Hoc h s tra te,
Pl a nts v il l e, CT ( US ) ; Ma rtinh o Ta v a res ,
Conv entry, CT ( U S )
As s ignee: Col t s Ma nuf a c turing Compa ny Inc . ,
W es t Ha rtf ord, CT ( US )
N otic e: S ub j ec t to a ny dis c l a imer, th e term of th is
pa tent is ex tended or a dj us ted under 3 5
U. S . C. 1 5 4( b ) b y 6 86 da ys .
Appl . N o. : 1 1 / 86 1 , 6 2 5
Fil ed: S ep. 2 6 , 2 007
Prior Pub l ic a tion Da ta
US 2 01 2 / 002 3 801 A1 Feb . 2 , 2 01 2
Int. Cl .
F41 A 1 7/ 00 ( 2 006 . 01 )
U. S . Cl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 70. 08; 42 / 7001
Fiel d of Cl a s s i?c a tion S ea rc h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 7001 ,
42 / 7008, 70. 1 1 ; 89/ 1 48; D2 2 / 1 08, 1 00,
D2 2 / 1 99, 1 04
S ee a ppl ic a tion ?l e f or c ompl ete s ea rc h h is tory.
( 5 6 ) Ref erenc es Cited
U. S . PATEN T DOCUMEN TS
3 , 492 , 748 A * 2 / 1 970 S W ens on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 7001
4, 2 08, 947 A * 6 / 1 980 Hil l b erg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89/ 1 48
D2 6 0, 5 48 S * 9/ 1 981 Hol l a nd . . . . . . . . . . . D2 2 / 1 08
4, 742 , 6 3 4 A * 5 / 1 988 S W ens on . . . . . . 42 / 7001
5 , 2 1 2 , 3 2 7 A * 5 / 1 993 S c h uema nn . . . . . . 42 / 7001
5 , 903 , 994 A * 5 / 1 999 Ta nge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 7001
D41 5 , 2 3 8 S * 1 0/ 1 999 Ka y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D2 2 / 1 08
6 , 5 6 0, 909 B2 * 5 / 2 003 Cominol l i . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 7005
6 , 907, 81 4 B2 * 6 / 2 005 S pinner et a l . . . . . . . . . 89/ 1 80
2 004/ 02 001 1 2 A1 * 1 0/ 2 004 Beretta 42 / 7001
2 007/ 01 3 7472 A1 * 6 / 2 007 Th omel e . 89/ 1 90
* c ited b y ex a miner
Prima ry Ex a miner * Mic h a el Ca rone
As s is ta nt Ex a miner * Regina l d Til l ma n, J r.
( 74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Perma n &Green, LLP
( 5 7) ABS TRACT
A model 1 91 1 s emia utoma tic pis tol th umb s a f ety or dec oc k
ing l ev er a da pted to b e c oupl ed to a model 1 91 1 rec eiv er. Th e
th umb s a f ety h a s a s el ec tor piv ota l l y c oupl ed a b out a n a x is of
rota tion to a s ide of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er th e s el ec tor
h a v ing a ?a t s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom th e a x is of rota tion
a nd c onta c ting th e s ide. Th e s el ec tor h a s a ra is ed s urf a c e
portion of f s et f rom th e a x is of rota tion a nd f a c ing th e s ide.
Th e s a f ety is a da pted to b e s el ec ta b l e f rom a ?rs t pos ition to
a s ec ond pos ition. Th e ?a t s urf a c e portion c ov ers a s W ept a rea
W h en th e s a f ety is rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond
pos ition. Th e s W ept a rea is c ov ered b y th e ra is ed s urf a c e
portion in eith er th e ?rs t pos ition or th e s ec ond pos ition.
1 9 Cl a ims , 9 Dra w ing S h eets
1 6 6
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 1 0m US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 2 0m US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 3 of 9 US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 4 0m US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
1 8
1 86
2 5 4
l 2 . 5 6 2 , 6 1 2
2 90
F | G. 3 A
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 2 01 2 S h eet 5 of 9
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 6 of 9 US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
[ 1 6 6
. 2 . 45 1 " . F IG. 5 B
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 7 of 9 US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
2 76
C 6 . nl u. F
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 8 of 9 US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
1 98k 1 98 3 3 4 3 3 2 3 04
/ /
3 46
1 6 8/ < 1
F IG. 7B
US . Pa tent Ma r. 6 , 2 01 2 S h eet 9 of 9 US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
1
MODEL1 91 1 S EMIAUTOMATIC PIS TOL
THUMB S AFETY
BACKGROUN D
1 . Fiel d
Th e dis c l os ed emb odiments rel a te to a ?rea rm s a f ety a nd,
more pa rtic ul a rl y, to a model 1 91 1 s emia utoma tic pis tol
th umb s a f ety.
2 . Des c ription of Ea rl ier Rel a ted Dev el opments
S ingl e a nd doub l e a c tion s emi a utoma tic pis tol s s uc h a s th e
c ompa c t pis tol dis c l os ed in US . Pa t. N o. 6 , 000, 1 6 2 W h ic h is
h ereb y inc orpora ted b y ref erenc e in its entirety h a v e b een
us ed b roa dl y. A v ery popul a r a nd prev a l ent pis tol c on?gura
tion is th e model 1 91 1 pis tol c on?gura tion, s uc h a s ma de b y
Col t s Ma nuf a c turing Corp. Th e model 1 91 1 pis tol h a s h a d
b roa d a nd ex tended h is toric a l us e, b ringing th e model 1 91 1
W orl d renoW n th a t is W el l des erv ed. W ith a s l im s h a pe, a nd
h is toric a l renoW n, th e model 1 91 1 c ontinues a s a h igh l y
des ired ?rea rm. As a h igh l y des ired ?rea rm, ma inta ining th e
a ppea ra nc e a nd ?nis h of th e model 1 91 1 is a h igh priority f or
ma ny oW ners . A prob l em a ris es W h en th e ?rea rm is us ed
ex tens iv el y a nd th e ?nis h ma y b e oth erW is e c ompromis ed b y
mov ing pa rts . As a n ex a mpl e, a s a f ety s el ec tor ma y b e rota ted
b etW een tW o or more pos itions . Here, th e s el ec tor s W eeps
a c ros s th e ?rea rms rec eiv er or oth er pa rts ma k ing a dis tin
guis h a b l e pa ttern on th e rec eiv er th a t ma y dev a l ue th e ?rea rm.
Ac c ordingl y, th ere is a des ire to prov ide a mov a b l e s el ec tor
th a t does not prov ide a dis tinguis h a b l e pa ttern on th e rec eiv er
W ith c ontinued us e.
S UMMARY OF THEEXEMPLARY
EMBODIMEN TS
In a c c orda nc e W ith one ex empl a ry emb odiment a model
1 91 1 s emia utoma tic pis tol th umb s a f ety a da pted to b e
c oupl ed to a model 1 91 1 rec eiv er is prov ided. Th e th umb
s a f ety h a s a s el ec tor piv ota l l y c oupl ed a b out a n a x is of rota
tion to a s ide of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er. Th e s el ec tor h a s a ?a t
s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom th e a x is of rota tion a nd c onta c ting
th e s ide. Th e s el ec tor h a s a ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom
th e a x is of rota tion a nd f a c ing th e s ide. Th e s a f ety is a da pted
to b e s el ec ta b l e f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a s ec ond pos ition. Th e
?a t s urf a c e portion c ov ers a s W ept a rea W h en th e s a f ety is
rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond pos ition. Th e
s W ept a rea is c ov ered b y th e ra is ed s urf a c e portion in eith er
th e ?rs t pos ition or th e s ec ond pos ition.
In a c c orda nc e W ith a noth er ex empl a ry emb odiment, a
model 1 91 1 s emia utoma tic pis tol a mb idex trous th umb s a f ety
a da pted to b e c oupl ed to a model 1 91 1 rec eiv er is prov ided.
Th e a mb idex trous th umb s a f ety h a s a righ t s el ec tor piv ota l l y
c oupl ed a b out a n a x is of rota tion to a ?rs t s ide of th e model
1 91 1 rec eiv er. Th e righ t s el ec tor h a s a righ t ?a t s urf a c e por
tion of f s et f rom th e a x is of rota tion a nd c onta c ting th e ?rs t
s ide. Th e righ t s el ec tor h a s a righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et
f rom th e a x is of rota tion a nd f a c ing th e ?rs t s ide. A l ef t
s el ec tor is prov ided piv ota l l y c oupl ed a b out th e a x is of rota
tion to a s ec ond s ide of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er oppos ite th e
?rs t s ide. Th e l ef t s el ec tor is interc onnec ted to th e righ t s el ec
tor. Th e l ef t s el ec tor h a s a l ef t ?a t s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom
th e a x is of rota tion a nd c onta c ting th e s ec ond s ide. Th e l ef t
s el ec tor h a s a l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom th e a x is of
rota tion a nd f a c ing th e s ec ond s ide. Th e s a f ety is a da pted to b e
s el ec ta b l e f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a s ec ond pos ition. Th e righ t
?a t s urf a c e portion c ov ers a ?rs t s W ept a rea W h en th e s a f ety is
rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond pos ition. Th e righ t
s W ept a rea is c ov ered b y th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion in
2 0
2 5
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
2
eith er th e ?rs t pos ition or th e s ec ond pos ition. Th e l ef t ?a t
s urf a c e portion c ov ers a s ec ond s W ept a rea W h en th e s a f ety is
rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond pos ition. Th e l ef t
s W ept a rea is c ov ered b y th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion in
eith er th e ?rs t pos ition or th e s ec ond pos ition.
In a c c orda nc e W ith yet a noth er ex empl a ry emb odiment, a
s emia utoma tic pis tol is prov ided. Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol
h a s a rec eiv er, a b a rrel c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er, a b rea c h s l ide
c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er a nd a ?ring mec h a nis m c oupl ed to th e
rec eiv er. A s el ec tor is prov ided piv ota l l y c oupl ed a b out a n
a x is of rota tion to th e rec eiv er. Th e s el ec tor h a s a ?a t s urf a c e
portion of f s et f rom th e a x is of rota tion a nd c onta c ting th e
rec eiv er. Th e s el ec tor h a s a ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom
th e a x is of rota tion a nd f a c ing th e rec eiv er. Th e s el ec tor is
a da pted to b e s el ec ta b l e f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a s ec ond
pos ition. Th e ?a t s urf a c e portion c ov ers a ?rs t s W ept a rea
W h en th e s el ec tor is rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e
s ec ond pos ition. Th e ?rs t s W ept a rea is c ov ered b y th e ra is ed
s urf a c e portion in eith er th e ?rs t pos ition or th e s ec ond pos i
tion.
BRIEF DES CRIPTION OF THEDRAW IN GS
Th e f oregoing a s pec ts a nd oth er f ea tures of th e ex empl a ry
emb odiments a re ex pl a ined in th e f ol l oW ing des c ription,
ta k en in c onnec tion W ith th e a c c ompa nying dra W ings ,
W h erein:
FIG. 1 is a l ef t s ide is ometric v ieW of a pis tol inc orpora ting
f ea tures in a c c orda nc e W ith one ex empl a ry emb odiment of
th e pres ent inv ention;
FIG. 2 is a ex pl oded is ometric v ieW of th e pis tol ;
FIG. 3 is a pa rtia l ex pl oded is ometric v ieW of a pis tol in
a c c orda nc e W ith a noth er ex empl a ry emb odiment;
FIG. 3 A is a righ t s ide pa rtia l ex pl oded is ometric v ieW of
th e pis tol s h oW n in FIG. 3 ;
FIGS . 4A, 4B a nd 4C a re is ometric v ieW s of a righ t s a f ety
s el ec tor;
FIGS . 5 A a nd 5 B a re l ef t a nd rea r v ieW s res pec tiv el y of th e
righ t dec oc k ing l ev er s h oW n in FIGS . 4A- 4C;
FIGS . 6 A, 6 B a nd 6 C a re is ometric v ieW s of a l ef t s a f ety
s el ec tor;
FIGS . 7A a nd 7B a re righ t a nd rea r v ieW s res pec tiv el y of
th e l ef t dec oc k ing l ev er s h oW n in FIGS . 5 A- 5 C;
FIG. 8 is a l ef t v ieW of th e dec oc k ing l ev er s h oW n in FIGS .
4A- 4C; a nd
FIG. 9 is a righ t v ieW of th e dec oc k ing l ev er s h oW n in FIGS .
6 A- 6 C.
DETAILED DES CRIPTION OF THE
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMEN T( S )
Ref erring to FIG. 1 , th ere is s h oW n a n is ometric v ieW of a
?rea rm 1 0 inc orpora ting f ea tures of a n ex empl a ry emb odi
ment. Th e ?rea rm 1 0 is il l us tra ted a s a model 1 91 1 pis tol
s emi- a utoma tic , th ough v a rious f ea tures , a s W il l b e des c rib ed
f urth er b el oW , of th e ex empl a ry emb odiments a re eq ua l l y
a ppl ic a b l e to a ny s uita b l e ?rea rm. Pis tol 1 0 ma y b e a s ingl e or
doub l e a c tion pis tol , a nd th e f ea tures des c rib ed a re eq ua l l y
s uita b l e to oth er s emia utoma tic pis tol s . Pis tol 1 0 ma y h a v e
opera tiona l f ea tures , s uc h a s dis c l os ed in US . pa tent a ppl i
c a tion S er. N o. 1 1 / 3 05 , 3 91 Fil ed on Dec . 6 , 2 005 W h ic h is
h ereb y inc orpora ted b y ref erenc e in its entirety. Th e pis tol 1 0
h a s a rec eiv er or f ra me 1 2 , a b a rrel 1 4, a b rea c h s l ide 1 5 , a
?ring mec h a nis m 1 6 , a nd a remov a b l e c a rtridge ma ga Z ine 1 8.
Al th ough th e pres ent inv ention W il l b e des c rib ed W ith th e
ref erenc e to th e ex empl a ry emb odiments s h oW n in th e dra W
ings , it s h oul d b e unders tood th a t th e pres ent inv ention c a n b e
US 8, l 2 7, 481 B2
3
emb odied in v a rious dif f erent types a nd k inds of a l terna te
emb odiments a nd dif f erent types a nd k inds of ?rea rms . In
a ddition, a ny s uita b l e s iZ e, s h a pe or type of el ements or ma te
ria l s c oul d b e us ed.
Ref erring noW to FIG. 2 , th ere is s h oW n a pa rtia l ex pl oded
is ometric v ieW of a s emia utoma tic pis tol 5 . Pis tol 5 , s ub s ta n
tia l l y s imil a r to ?rea rm 1 0 in FIG. 1 , in th is emb odiment is a
model 1 91 1 s emi- a utoma tic pis tol , s uc h a s ma nuf a c tured b y
Col t s Ma nuf a c turing Corp. , a nd th e c omponents of th e pis tol
a re s ub s ta ntia l l y th e s a me a s a model 1 91 1 pis tol ex c ept a s
oth erW is e des c rib ed b el oW . In th is ex empl a ry emb odiment,
pis tol 5 is c a pa b l e of s ingl e a c tion opera tion a s W il l b e
des c rib ed b el oW . Th e pis tol 5 h a s a rec eiv er or f ra me 6 , a
b a rrel 7, a b rea c h s l ide 8, a ?ring mec h a nis m, a nd a remov a b l e
c a rtridge ma ga Z ine 1 8. Th e f ra me 6 h a s a s toc k or h a ndgrip
s ec tion 2 0' W ith a c a rtridge ma ga Z ine rec eiv ing a rea 2 2 ' a nd a
trigger gua rd s ec tion 2 4' . Th e b a rrel 7 h a s a b ottom rea r l ug
3 0' . A b a rrel l ink 3 8' c onnec ts th e l ug 3 0 to th e f ra me 6 W ith
a pin 1 9' . S l ide 8 is s l idingl y mounted to th e top of th e f ra me
6 . Ba rrel 7 is l oc a ted in a ma in c h a nnel of th e s l ide 8 a nd
guided b y b a rrel b us h ing 1 06 ' . Firing pin 40' is prel oa ded b y
?ring pin s pring 1 2 4' a ga ins t ?ring pin s top 1 2 6 ' . Ex tra c tor
1 2 8' is a l s o reta ined in th e s l ide b y ?ring pin s top 1 2 6 ' f or
ej ec tion of s pent c a rtridges . A ?ring pin pl unger 1 3 2 ' a nd
pl unger s pring 1 3 4' a re prov ided to prev ent th e ?ring pin f rom
a dv a nc ing to th e c a rtridge W h en th e ?ring pin is improperl y
enga ged. Pl unger l ev er 1 82 ' is piv ota l l y c oupl ed to f ra me 6 .
Firing pin 40' , ?ring pin pl unger 1 3 2 ' , s pring 1 3 4' a nd l ev er
1 82 ' ma y b e s ub s ta ntia l l y s imil a r to th os e dis c l os ed in US .
Pa t. N o. 4, 5 5 5 , 86 1 , inc orpora ted b y ref erenc e h erein in its
entirety. Front a nd rea r s igh ts 1 3 8' , 1 3 9' a re on s l ide 8. Rec oil
s pring pl ug 1 40' is c oupl ed to s l ide 8 h ous ing rec oil s pring
1 42 ' , th e oppos ite end of W h ic h enga ges rec oil s pring guide
1 44' c oupl ed to f ra me 6 . S l ide s top 1 46 ' is piv ota l l y mounted
in f ra me 6 . In a l terna te emb odiments oth er types of b a rrel s
a nd/ or b a rrel mounting s ys tems c oul d b e prov ided. In a l ter
na te emb odiments , a ny s uita b l e type of s l ide c oul d a l s o b e
prov ided. In a ddition, a ny s uita b l e type of ?ring pin or s trik er
c oul db e prov ided. Ej ec tor 1 84' a nd ej ec tor pin 1 86 ' c oopera te
W ith a n ex tra c tor to ej ec t s pent c a rtridges f rom ?rea rm 5 a f ter
?ring. Pis tol 5 inc l udes tW o h a ndgrip pa nel s 1 2 0' , 1 2 1 ' W ith
h a ndgrip pa nel s 1 2 0' , 1 2 1 ' a re s ub s ta ntia l l y th e s a me a s model
1 91 1 pis tol h a ndgrip pa nel s . Th e pa nel s a re mounted to th e
f ra me 6 on oppos ite s ides of th e h a ndgrip s ec tion 2 0' . Th e
pa nel s ma y b e f a s tened to th e h a ndgrip s ec tion of th e pis tol
f ra me us ing a ny s uita b l e meth od. Th e ?ring mec h a nis m
inc l udes th e trigger a s s emb l y 2 8' , th e ?ring pin 40' a nd a
h a mmer a s s emb l y 42 ' . Ha mmer a s s emb l y 42 ' inc l udes h a m
mer memb er 44' h a v ing a s trik ing f a c e 48. Pin 6 6 ' mounts s trut
6 8' to h a mmer 44' . S trut 6 8' is s pring l oa ded b y a s pring 70'
a ga ins t th e s trut pin 6 6 ' . Th e s trut 6 8' enga ges s pring 70'
th rough ma ins pring c a p 1 5 6 ' . S pring 70' enga ges ma ins pring
h ous ing 1 6 0' th rough ma ins pring reta inerpin 1 5 8' a nd rol l pin
1 6 2 ' . An a mb idex trous th umb s a f ety c oupl ed to rec eiv er 6 is
prov ided a s s el ec tors 1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' . Righ t a nd l ef t s el ec tors or
dec oc k ing l ev ers 1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' a re piv ota l l y mounted b y pos ts
1 96 ' , 1 98' th rough b ore 2 00' in rec eiv er f ra me 6 a nd b ore 2 01
in h ous ing 1 6 1 ' . In th e emb odiment s h oW n, dec oc k ing l ev ers
1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' a re interl oc k ed th ereb y a l l oW ing dec oc k ing of th e
h a mmer 42 b y opera ting eith er th e l ef t or righ t l ev er. For
ex a mpl e, th e res pec tiv e pos ts 1 96 ' , 1 98' ma y h a v e k eyed
f ea tures th a t interl oc k W h en a s s emb l ed to th e f ra me W h ere th e
rota tiona l motion of one is impa rted to th e oth er. Th e l ev ers
1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' ma y b e rota ted rel a tiv e to th e f ra me a b out pos ts
1 96 ' , 1 98' b etW een a doW n pos ition a nd a n up or dec oc k ing
pos ition. Th e dec oc k ing l ev ers ma y b e b ia s ed in th e doW n
pos ition b y a s pring. Th e righ t a nd l ef t dec oc k ing l ev ers 1 6 6 ' ,
5
2 0
2 5
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 5
4
1 6 8' ma y b e prov ided to rel ea s e a c oc k ed h a mmer W ith out
?ring th e W ea pon. In a l terna te emb odiments oth er types of
dec oc k ing a s s emb l ies c oul d b e prov ided. For ex a mpl e,
ins tea d of prov iding a n a mb idex trous s a f ety opera b l e f rom
eith er s ide of ?rea rm 5 , a s ingl e righ t h a nd or l ef t h a nd
dec oc k ing or s a f ety l ev er ma y b e prov ided. As a f urth er
ex a mpl e, l ev ers 1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' ma y b e rota ted rel a tiv e to th e f ra me
a b out pos ts 1 96 ' , 1 98' b etW een a ?rs t upper s a f ety pos ition
a nd a l oW er dec oc k ing pos ition W ith a n intermedia te ?ring
pos ition. As a f urth er ex a mpl e a l terna te emb odiment, l ev ers
1 6 6 ' , 1 6 8' ma y b e prov ided W ith a ny s uita b l e numb er of
pos itions or f unc tions .
Ref erring a l s o to FIGS . 3 a nd 3 A, a pa rtia l ex pl oded is o
metric v ieW of th e pis tol 1 0 ( s ee a l s o FIG. 1 ) is s h oW n. As
noted a b ov e pis tol 1 0 in th is emb odiment is a model 1 91 1
s emi- a utoma tic pis tol , s uc h a s ma nuf a c tured b y Col t s Ma nu
f a c turing Corp. , a nd th e c omponents of th e pis tol a re s ub s ta n
tia l l y th e s a me a s a model 1 91 1 pis tol ex c ept a s oth erW is e
des c rib ed b el oW . In th is ex empl a ry emb odiment, pis tol 1 0 is
c a pa b l e of b oth doub l e a c tion a nd s ingl e a c tion opera tion a s
W il l b e des c rib ed b el oW . Th e f ra me 1 2 h a s a s toc k or h a ndgrip
s ec tion W ith a c a rtridge ma ga Z ine rec eiv ing a rea 2 2 , a trigger
gua rd s ec tion 2 4 a nd a s l ot f or th e trigger a s s emb l y. Th e b a rrel
1 4 h a s a b ottom rea r l ug 3 0 h a v ing a s l ot 3 2 . A b a rrel l ink 3 8
c onnec ts th e l ug 3 0 to th e f ra me 1 2 W ith a pin 1 9 th rough th e
s l ot 3 2 . S l ide 1 5 is s l idingl y mounted to th e top of th e f ra me
1 2 . Ba rrel 1 4 is l oc a ted in a ma in c h a nnel of th e s l ide 1 5 a nd
guided b y b a rrel b us h ing 1 06 . Firing pin 40 is prel oa ded b y
?ring pin s pring 1 2 4 a ga ins t ?ring pin s top 1 2 6 . Ex tra c tor 1 2 8
is a l s o reta ined in th e s l ide b y ?ring pin s top 1 2 6 f or ej ec tion
of s pent c a rtridges . A ?ring pin pl unger 1 3 2 a nd pl unger
s pring 1 3 4 a re prov ided to prev ent th e ?ring pin f rom a dv a nc
ing to th e c a rtridge W h en th e ?ring pin is improperl y enga ged.
Pl unger l ev er 1 82 is piv ota l l y c oupl ed to f ra me 1 2 W ith h a m
mer pin 6 4. Firing pin 40, ?ring pin pl unger 1 3 2 , s pring 1 3 4
a nd l ev er 1 82 ma y b e s ub s ta ntia l l y s imil a r to th os e dis c l os ed
in US . Pa t. N o. 4, 5 5 5 , 86 1 , inc orpora ted b y ref erenc e h erein
in its entirety. Pl unger l ev er 1 82 h a s protrus ions 2 3 2 a nd 2 3 4
th a t c oopera te W ith th e dra W b a r 76 in c omb ina tion W ith
trigger 2 8 to ris e th e ?ring pin pl unger 1 3 2 a nd a l l oW th e ?ring
pin to a dv a nc e to th e c a rtridge W h en th e ?ring pin is properl y
enga ged b y h a mmer a s s emb l y 42 . Front a nd rea r s igh ts 1 3 8,
1 3 9 a re on s l ide 1 5 . Rec oil s pring pl ug 1 40 is c oupl ed to s l ide
1 5 h ous ing rec oil s pring 1 42 , th e oppos ite end of W h ic h
enga ges rec oil s pring guide 1 44 c oupl ed to f ra me 1 2 . S l ide
s top 1 46 is piv ota l l y mounted in f ra me 1 2 . Pl unger tub e 1 48,
s l ide s top pl unger 1 5 0, pl unger s pring 1 5 2 a nd s pira l pin 1 5 4
a re mounted to f ra me 1 2 . In a l terna te emb odiments oth er
types of b a rrel s a nd/ or b a rrel mounting s ys tems c oul d b e
prov ided. In a l terna te emb odiments , a ny s uita b l e type of s l ide
c oul d a l s o b e prov ided. In a ddition, a ny s uita b l e type of ?ring
pin or s trik er c oul d b e prov ided. Ma ga zine c a tc h 1 76 , ma ga
Z ine c a tc h a nd ga te s pring 1 78 a nd ma ga Z ine c a tc h l oc k 1 80
a re prov ided c oupl ed to f ra me to reta in a nd rel ea s e th e ma ga
Z ine 1 8. Ej ec tor 1 84 a nd ej ec tor pin 1 86 c oopera te W ith
ex tra c tor 2 1 8 to ej ec t s pent c a rtridges f rom ?rea rm 1 0 a f ter
?ring. Pis tol 1 0 inc l udes tW o h a ndgrip pa nel s 1 2 0, 1 2 1 W ith
h a ndgrip pa nel s 1 2 0, 1 2 1 a re s ub s ta ntia l l y th e s a me a s model
1 91 1 pis tol h a ndgrip pa nel s . Th e pa nel s 1 2 0 a re mounted to
th e f ra me 1 2 on oppos ite s ides of th e h a ndgrip s ec tion 2 0. In
th is emb odiment, th e h a ndgrip s ec tion 2 0 h a s f a s tener h ol es
1 2 2 on ea c h s ide. Th e h ol es 1 2 2 a re l oc a ted a t top a nd th e
b ottom of th e h a ndgrip s ec tion res pec tiv el y. Th e righ t s ide
pa nel 1 2 0 h a s ma tc h ing h ol es 1 3 0, 1 3 1 . Fa s teners 1 3 6 , 1 3 7
a re ins erted into h ol es 1 3 0, 1 3 1 a nd s c reW ed into th e b us h ings
2 1 0 W h ere th e b us h ings 2 1 0 a re ins erted into th e h ol es 1 2 2 of
f ra me 1 2 . In a l terna te emb odiments , th e pa nel s ma y b e f a s
US 8, l 2 7, 481 B2
5
tened to th e h a ndgrip s ec tion of th e pis tol f ra me us ing a ny
oth er s uita b l e mea ns s uc h a s s na p on detents . Firing mec h a
nis m 1 6 inc l udes th e trigger a s s emb l y 2 8, th e dra W b a r 76 , th e
?ring pin 40 a nd a h a mmer a s s emb l y 42 . Ha mmer a s s emb l y
42 inc l udes a ?rs t h a mmer memb er 44 a nd a s ec ond h a mmer
memb er 46 mov a b l y or piv ota l l y mounted to th e h a mmer. Th e
h a mmer h ook 46 enga ges a h a mmer enga gement end of th e
dra W b a r 76 to mov e th e dra W b a r f orW a rd ( a nd th eref or th e
trigger) W h en th e pis tol is b eing ?red in s ingl e a c tion mode.
Th e ?rs t h a mmer memb er 44 h a s a s trik ing f a c e 48 a nd a
mounting h ol e 5 0. Ha mmer pin 6 4 ex tends th rough th e h ol e
5 0 th e h a mmer h ook in th e h a mmer memb er a nd th e h a mmer
a s s emb l y 42 to th e f ra me 1 2 . Pin 6 6 is mounts s trut 6 8 to
h a mmer 44. S trut 6 8 is s pring l oa ded b y a s pring 70 a ga ins t
th e s trut pin 6 6 . Th e s trut 6 8 enga ges s pring 70 th rough
ma ins pring c a p 1 5 6 . S pring 70 enga ges ma ins pring h ous ing
1 6 0 th rough ma ins pring reta iner pin 1 5 8 a nd rol l pin 1 6 2 . An
a mb idex trous th umb s a f ety c oupl ed to rec eiv er 1 2 is prov ided
a s s el ec tors 1 6 6 , 1 6 8. Righ t a nd l ef t s el ec tors or dec oc k ing
l ev ers 1 6 6 , 1 6 8 a re piv ota l l y mounted b y pos ts 1 96 , 1 98
th rough b ore 2 00 in rec eiv er f ra me 1 2 a nd b ore 2 01 in ma in
s pring h ous ing 1 6 0. In th e emb odiment s h oW n, dec oc k ing
l ev ers 1 6 6 , 1 6 8 a re interl oc k ed th ereb y a l l oW ing dec oc k ing of
th e h a mmer 42 b y opera ting eith er th e l ef t or righ t l ev er. For
ex a mpl e, th e res pec tiv e pos ts 1 96 , 1 98 ma y h a v e k eyed f ea
tures 1 96 K, 1 98Kth a t interl oc k W h en a s s emb l ed to th e f ra me
W h ere th e rota tiona l motion of one is impa rted to th e oth er.
S urf a c e 2 1 8, of dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e c a ptured b eh ind
rec es s 2 2 2 of grip 1 2 0 c a pturing th e l ev er a f ter th e grips a re
a s s emb l ed to th e f ra me 1 2 . Th us mounted, th e l ev ers 1 96 , 1 98
ma y b e rota ted rel a tiv e to th e f ra me a b out pos ts 1 96 , 1 98
b etW een a doW n pos ition a nd a n up or dec oc k ing pos ition.
Th e dec oc k ing l ev ers ma y b e b ia s ed in th e doW n pos ition b y
s pring 1 72 . Dec oc k ing l ev er s pring b ra c k et 1 70 is c oupl ed to
f ra me 1 2 b y b us h ing 2 1 0 th rough h ol e 2 04 a nd 1 2 2 of f ra me
1 2 a nd W ith in f ra me 1 2 b y groov e or s l ot 2 1 2 in f ra me 1 2 . Th e
righ t a nd l ef t dec oc k ing l ev ers 1 6 6 , 1 6 8 ma y b e prov ided to
rel ea s e a c oc k ed h a mmer W ith out ?ring th e W ea pon. In a l ter
na te emb odiments oth er types of dec oc k ing a s s emb l ies c oul d
b e prov ided. For ex a mpl e, ins tea d of prov iding a n a mb idex
trous s a f ety opera b l e f rom eith er s ide of ?rea rm 1 0, a s ingl e
righ t h a nd or l ef t h a nd dec oc k ing or s a f ety l ev er ma y b e
prov ided. As a f urth er ex a mpl e, l ev ers 1 96 , 1 98 ma y b e
rota ted rel a tiv e to th e f ra me a b out pos ts 1 96 , 1 98 b etW een a
?rs t upper s a f ety pos ition a nd a l oW er dec oc k ing pos ition
W ith a n intermedia te ?ring pos ition. As a f urth er ex a mpl e
a l terna te emb odiment, l ev ers 1 6 6 , 1 6 8 ma y b e prov ided W ith
a ny s uita b l e numb er of pos itions or f unc tions . Ref erring a l s o
to FIG. 3 , a pa rtia l ex pl oded is ometric v ieW of th e pis tol 1 0 is
s h oW n. Th e trigger a s s emb l y 2 8 genera l l y c ompris es a trigger
memb er 72 a nd a dra W b a r 76 . Th e trigger memb er 72 h a s a
b ottom ?nger c onta c t s ec tion 78, a middl e s ec tion W ith a
poc k et 80 a nd a mounting h ol e 82 , a nd a top s ec tion 84 W ith
a s ide proj ec tion 88. Th e top s ec tion a nd s ide proj ec tion 88
de?ne th e of f s et c ra nk of th e trigger. Th e W idth of th e ?nger
c onta c t s ec tion 78 is a b out th e s a me W idth of th e s l ot 2 6 in th e
f ra me 1 2 . A trigger pin ex tends th rough th e h ol es 82 , 90 a nd
a l s o reta ins s ide pl a te 1 74 c ov ering dra W b a r 76 . Th e pin 92 is
c onnec ted to th e f ra me 1 2 a c ros s th e s l ot 2 6 ( not s h oW n)
th rough h ol e 90. Th is piv ota b l y mounts th e trigger memb er
72 to th e f ra me 1 2 . Th e top s ec tion 84 is rel a tiv el y th in a nd
ex tends f rom onl y th is righ t s ide of th e trigger memb er 72 .
Dra W b a r 76 ma y b e mounted in a groov e 2 5 4 of th e rec eiv er
f ra me 1 2 . Groov e or c h a nnel 2 5 4 is f ormed into th e outer s ide
of th e rec eiv er f ra me 1 2 a nd h a s a c c es s opening 2 90 a l l oW ing
ra is ed c a m 2 06 on th e dra W b a r to c onta c t a nd enga ge s l ide ra il
1 5 . Fra me 1 2 h a s c utout 2 92 to a l l oW enga gement ?nger 94 on
2 0
2 5
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
6
dra W b a r 76 to ex tend th rough th e rec eiv er a nd res pec tiv el y
enga ge th e h a mmer, f or h a mmer c oc k ing a c tion, a nd enga ge
th e s ea r 1 00 f or ?ring a s c ompa red to a c onv entiona l 1 91 1 th a t
h a s no c utout. Th e rea r end of th e b a r 76 ma y h a v e a n inW a rdl y
ex tending l a tera l proj ec tion 94 a nd a h ol e 96 . A s pring 98 is
prov ided W ith one end c onnec ted to th e f ra me 1 2 a t h ol e 2 5 6
a nd a n oppos ite end c onnec ted to th e dra W b a r 76 a t th e h ol e
96 .
Ref erring noW to FIGS . 4A, 4B a nd 4C, th ere a re s h oW n
is ometric v ieW s of righ t s a f ety s el ec tor 1 6 6 . Ref erring a l s o to
FIGS . 5 A a nd 5 B a re righ t a nd rea r v ieW s res pec tiv el y of righ t
dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 6 . Righ t l ev er 1 6 6 is piv ota l l y mounted b y
pos t 1 96 to rec eiv er f ra me 1 2 . Dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e
interl oc k ed to l ev er 1 6 8 W h ereb y k eyed interl oc k ing f ea ture
1 96 Kma tes W ith th e c orres ponding k eyed interl oc k ing f ea
ture 1 98Kof l ev er 1 98. S urf a c e 2 1 8 of l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e
prov ided a nd c a ptured b eh ind grip 1 2 0 c a pturing th e l ev er
a f ter th e grips a re a s s emb l ed to th e f ra me 1 2 . S urf a c e 2 1 8 ma y
b e ra is ed or h a v e a ny s uita b l e s h a pe W ith res pec t to th e l ev er
1 6 6 . Righ t dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e prov ided a s a s a f ety
a nd/ or to rel ea s e a c oc k ed h a mmer W ith out ?ring th e W ea pon.
In a l terna te emb odiments oth er types of dec oc k ing l ev ers
c oul d b e prov ided. As a n ex a mpl e, a nd ref erring a l s o to FIG.
8, l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e rota ted rel a tiv e to f ra me 1 2 a b out pos t 1 96
b etW een a ?rs t upper s a f ety pos ition 3 1 6 a nd a l oW er dec oc k
ing pos ition 3 1 8 W ith a n intermedia te ?ring pos ition 3 2 0. As
a f urth er ex a mpl e a l terna te emb odiment, l ev er 1 6 6 ma y b e
prov ided W ith a ny s uita b l e numb er of pos itions or f unc tions .
Lef t s el ec tor 1 6 6 is prov ided piv ota l l y c oupl ed to a ?rs t s ide
3 00 of f ra me 1 2 ( s ee FIG. 2 ) a b out a n a x is of rota tion 400
c orres ponding to th e c enterl ine of pos t 1 96 . Here, ?rs t s ide
3 00 of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er 1 2 is s h oW n oppos ite s ec ond
s ide 3 02 . Righ t s el ec tor 1 6 6 h a s a righ t ?a t s urf a c e portion
402 of f s et f rom a x is of rota tion 400 a nd c onta c ting ?rs t s ide
3 00 W h en a s s emb l ed to ?rea rm 1 0. Here, th e c entroid 404 of
th e s urf a c e portion 402 is of f s et b y a dis ta nc e 406 f rom a x is of
rota tion 400. Righ t s el ec tor 1 6 6 h a s a righ t ra is ed s urf a c e
portion 408 of f s et f rom a x is of rota tion 400 a nd a l s o f a c ing
?rs t s ide 3 00. Here, th e c entroid 41 0 of th e s urf a c e portion
408 is of f s et b y a dis ta nc e 41 2 f rom a x is of rota tion 400. Righ t
ra is ed s urf a c e 408 is ra is ed rel a tiv e to ?a t s urf a c e portion 402
b y a dis ta nc e 41 4. In th e emb odiment s h oW n, s urf a c e 408 is
s h oW n a s a ?a t s urf a c e a nd pa ra l l el to s ide 3 00 of rec eiv er 1 2
s epa ra ted b y a minimum ga p 41 4 W h ere s urf a c e 408 ma y not
c onta c t rec eiv er 1 2 . In a l terna te emb odiments , a ny s uita b l e
s urf a c e ma y b e prov ided. Righ t ?a t s urf a c e portion 402 c ov
ers a ?rs t s W ept a rea 42 0 W h en s a f ety 1 6 6 is rota ted f rom ?rs t
pos ition 3 1 6 to th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 8. S W ept a rea 42 0 is
s h oW n in FIG. 8 a s a c ros s h a tc h ed a rea a nd re?ec ts th e a rea
s W ept b y s urf a c e 402 rel a tiv e to rec eiv er 1 2 during opera tion
of s a f ety 1 6 6 W h ere c onta c t W ith rec eiv er 1 2 or oth er c ompo
nents of pis tol 1 0 ma y oc c ur res ul ting in a s urf a c e a ppea ra nc e
c h a nge. As c a n b e s een in FIG. 8, righ t s W ept a rea 42 0 is
c ov ered b y th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion 408 in eith er ?rs t
pos ition 3 1 6 or s ec ond pos ition 3 1 8 a nd in b etW een. To f ur
th er il l us tra te, th e upper b ounds 43 0 of s W ept a rea 42 0 c a us ed
b y upper edge 43 2 of s urf a c e 402 W h en s el ec tor 1 6 6 is in th e
?rs t pos ition 3 1 6 is c ov ered b y th e upper b ounds 43 4 of
s urf a c e 408 c a us ed b y upper edge 43 6 of s urf a c e 408 W h en
s el ec tor 1 6 6 is in th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 8. S imil a rl y, a nd to
f urth er il l us tra te, th e l oW er b ounds 43 8 of s W ept a rea 402
c a us ed b y l oW er edge 440 of s urf a c e 402 W h en s el ec tor 1 6 6 is
in th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 8 is c ov ered b y th e l oW er b ounds 442
of s urf a c e 408 c a us ed b y l oW er edge 446 of s urf a c e 408 W h en
s el ec tor 1 6 6 is in th e ?rs t pos ition 3 1 6 . Here, a s s urf a c e 402
c ov ers th e s W ept a rea 42 0, a ny portion of s W ept a rea 42 0 th a t
ma y c a us e a dis tinguis h a b l e pa ttern on rec eiv er 1 2 or oth er
US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
7
W is e is c ov ered a nd not ex pos ed to th e us er. Ac c ordingl y,
th ere is prov ided a mov a b l e s el ec tor 1 6 8 th a t does not prov ide
a dis tinguis h a b l e pa ttern on th e rec eiv er W ith c ontinued us e
improv ing th e v a l ue of ?rea rm 1 0.
Ref erring noW to FIGS . 6 A, 6 B a nd 6 C, th ere a re s h oW n
is ometric v ieW s of l ef t s a f ety s el ec tor 1 6 8. Ref erring a l s o to
FIGS . 7A a nd 7B a re righ t a nd rea r v ieW s res pec tiv el y of l ef t
dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 8. Lef t l ev er 1 6 8 is piv ota l l y mounted b y
pos t 1 98 to rec eiv er f ra me 1 2 . Dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 8 h a s a
enga gement memb er 2 76 , f or ex a mpl e f or enga gement of th e
s ea r 1 00 W h en dec oc k ing th e h a mmer. In a l terna te emb odi
ments , a ny oth er s uita b l e memb ers or l ev er f unc tions ma y b e
us ed. In th is emb odiment, memb er 2 76 is dis pos ed on l ev er
1 6 8 a nd in a l terna te emb odiments th e dec oc k ing memb er a re
a ny s uita b l e memb er ma y b e dis pos ed on a ny des ired l ev er.
Dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 8 ma y b e interl oc k ed to l ev er 1 6 6 W h ereb y
k eyed interl oc k ing f ea ture 1 98Kma tes W ith th e c orres pond
ing k eyed interl oc k ing f ea ture 1 96 Kof l ev er 1 96 . Al th ough
not s h oW n, a nd in a l terna te emb odiments , s urf a c es of l ev er
1 6 8 ma y b e prov ided a nd c a ptured b eh ind grip 1 2 1 c a pturing
th e l ev er a f ter th e grips a re a s s emb l ed to th e f ra me 1 2 . Th e l ef t
dec oc k ing l ev er 1 6 8 ma y b e prov ided a s a s a f ety a nd/ or to
rel ea s e a c oc k ed h a mmer W ith out ?ring th e W ea pon. In a l ter
na te emb odiments oth er types of dec oc k ing l ev ers c oul d b e
prov ided. As a n ex a mpl e, a nd ref erring a l s o to FIG. 9, l ev er
1 6 8 ma y b e rota ted rel a tiv e to f ra me 1 2 a b out pos t 1 98
b etW een a ?rs t upper s a f ety pos ition 3 1 0 a nd a l oW er dec oc k
ing pos ition 3 1 2 W ith a n intermedia te ?ring pos ition 3 1 4. As
a f urth er ex a mpl e a l terna te emb odiment, l ev er 1 6 8 ma y b e
prov ided W ith a ny s uita b l e numb er of pos itions or f unc tions .
Identi?c a tion f ea ture 3 04 ma y b e prov ided on l ev er 1 6 8. Lef t
s el ec tor 1 6 8 is prov ided piv ota l l y c oupl ed to a s ec ond s ide
3 02 of f ra me 1 2 ( s ee FIG. 2 ) a b out a n a x is of rota tion 3 3 0
c orres ponding to th e c enterl ine of pos t 1 98. Here, s ec ond s ide
3 02 of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er 1 2 is s h oW n oppos ite ?rs t s ide
3 00. Lef t s el ec tor 1 6 8 h a s a l ef t ?a t s urf a c e portion 3 3 2 of f s et
f rom a x is of rota tion 3 3 0 a nd c onta c ting s ec ond s ide 3 02
W h en a s s emb l ed to ?rea rm 1 0. Here, th e c entroid 3 3 4 of th e
s urf a c e portion 3 3 2 is of f s et b y a dis ta nc e 3 3 6 f rom a x is of
rota tion 3 3 0. Lef t s el ec tor 1 6 8 h a s a l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion
3 3 8 of f s et f rom a x is of rota tion 3 3 0 a nd a l s o f a c ing s ec ond
s ide 3 02 . Here, th e c entroid 3 40 of th e s urf a c e portion 3 3 8 is
of f s et b y a dis ta nc e 3 42 f rom a x is of rota tion 3 3 0. Lef t ra is ed
s urf a c e 3 3 8 is ra is ed rel a tiv e to ?a t s urf a c e portion b y a
dis ta nc e 3 46 . In th e emb odiment s h oW n, s urf a c e 3 3 8 is s h oW n
a s a ?a t s urf a c e a nd pa ra l l el to s ide 3 02 of rec eiv er 1 2 s epa
ra ted b y a minimum ga p 3 46 W h ere s urf a c e 3 3 8 ma y not
c onta c t rec eiv er 1 2 . In a l terna te emb odiments , a ny s uita b l e
s urf a c e ma y b e prov ided. Lef t ?a t s urf a c e portion 3 3 2 c ov ers
a s ec ond s W ept a rea 3 48 W h en s a f ety 1 6 8 is rota ted f rom ?rs t
pos ition 3 1 0 to th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 2 . S W ept a rea 3 48 is
s h oW n in FIG. 9 a s a c ros s h a tc h ed a rea a nd re?ec ts th e a rea
s W ept b y s urf a c e 3 3 2 rel a tiv e to rec eiv er 1 2 during opera tion
of s a f ety 1 6 8 W h ere c onta c t W ith rec eiv er 1 6 8 or oth er c om
ponents of pis tol 1 0 ma y oc c ur res ul ting in a s urf a c e a ppea r
a nc e c h a nge. As c a n b e s een in FIG. 9, l ef t s W ept a rea 3 48 is
c ov ered b y th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion 3 3 8 in eith er ?rs t
pos ition 3 1 0 or s ec ond pos ition 3 1 2 a nd in b etW een. To f ur
th er il l us tra te, th e upper b ounds 3 5 0 of s W ept a rea 3 48 c a us ed
b y upper edge 3 5 2 of s urf a c e 3 3 2 W h en s el ec tor 1 2 is in th e
?rs t pos ition 3 1 0 is c ov ered b y th e upper b ounds 3 6 0 of
s urf a c e 3 3 8 c a us ed b y upper edge 3 6 2 of s urf a c e 3 3 8 W h en
s el ec tor 1 6 8 is in th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 2 . S imil a rl y, a nd to
f urth er il l us tra te, th e l oW er b ounds 3 6 4 of s W ept a rea 3 48
c a us ed b y l oW er edge 3 6 6 of s urf a c e 3 3 2 W h en s el ec tor 1 6 8 is
in th e s ec ond pos ition 3 1 2 is c ov ered b y th e l oW er b ounds 3 6 8
of s urf a c e 3 3 8 c a us ed b y l oW er edge 3 70 of s urf a c e 3 3 8 W h en
2 0
2 5
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
8
s el ec tor 1 6 8 is in th e ?rs t pos ition 3 1 0. Here, a s s urf a c e 3 3 8
c ov ers th e s W ept a rea 3 48, a ny portion of s W ept a rea 3 3 8 th a t
ma y c a us e a dis tinguis h a b l e pa ttern on rec eiv er or oth erW is e
is c ov ered a nd not ex pos ed to th e us er. Ac c ordingl y, th ere is
prov ided a mov a b l e s el ec tor 1 6 8 th a t does not prov ide a
dis tinguis h a b l e pa ttern on th e rec eiv er W ith c ontinued us e
improv ing th e v a l ue of ?rea rm 1 0.
It s h oul d b e unders tood th a t th e f oregoing des c ription is
onl y il l us tra tiv e of th e inv ention. V a rious a l terna tiv es a nd
modi?c a tions c a n b e dev is ed b y th os e s k il l ed in th e a rt W ith
out depa rting f rom th e inv ention. For ex a mpl e, th e a pproa c h
ta k en on th e s el ec tor ma y b e a ppl ied to a ny s uita b l e ?rea rm
c omponent. Ac c ordingl y, th e pres ent inv ention is intended to
emb ra c e a l l s uc h a l terna tiv es , modi?c a tions a nd v a ria nc es
W h ic h f a l l W ith in th e s c ope of th e a ppended c l a ims .
W h a t is c l a imed is :
1 . A s emia utoma tic pis tol th umb s a f ety c a pa b l e of b eing
c oupl ed to a rec eiv er of a s emia utoma tic pis tol , th e th umb
s a f ety c ompris ing:
a s el ec tor a da pted to b e mov a b l y mounted to th e rec eiv er s o
th a t W h en mounted to th e rec eiv er th e s el ec tor is mov
a b l e rel a tiv e to th e rec eiv er b etW een b a ttery a nd s a f e
pos itions , th e s el ec tor c ompris ing:
a rec eiv er c onta c t s urf a c e dis pos ed to c onta c t a ?rs t ex terior
s urf a c e of th e rec eiv er W h en th e s el ec tor is in th e b a ttery
pos ition a nd a s ec ond ex terior s urf a c e of th e rec eiv er
W h en th e s el ec tor is in th e s a f e pos ition, W h erein th e
rec eiv er c onta c t s urf a c e is a rra nged s o th a t a t l ea s t one of
th e ?rs t a nd s ec ond ex terior s urf a c es of th e rec eiv er is
unc ov ered b y th e rec eiv er c onta c t s urf a c e W h en th e
s el ec tor is in or mov ed b etW een b a ttery a nd s a f e pos i
tions ; a nd
a ma s k ing s ec tion c onnec ted to th e rec eiv er c onta c t s urf a c e
a nd a rra nged to h ide th e a t l ea s t one of th e unc ov ered
?rs t a nd s ec ond ex terior s urf a c es of th e rec eiv er s ub s ta n
tia l l y in th eir entirety rega rdl es s of pos ition of th e s el ec
tor s o th a t b oth of th e unc ov ered ?rs t a nd s ec ond ex terior
s urf a c es a re h idden.
2 . A model 1 91 1 s emia utoma tic pis tol th umb s a f ety
a da pted to b e c oupl ed to a model 1 91 1 rec eiv er, th e th umb
s a f ety c ompris ing:
a s el ec tor a da pted f or b eing mov a b l y c oupl ed to th e
rec eiv er, th e s el ec tor h a v ing a s ub s ta ntia l l y ?a t portion
dis pos ed to ex tend a dj a c ent to a nd a l ongs ide a n ex terior
s ide of th e rec eiv er, th e ?a t portion h a v ing a n opera tor
a c tua ting ta b proj ec ting f rom a n outer s urf a c e of th e ?a t
portion a nd h a v ing a n interior s urf a c e a rra nged to f a c e
th e ex terior s ide of th e rec eiv er, W h en th e s el ec tor is
c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er, th e interior s urf a c e h a v ing dif
f erent of f s et s urf a c e s ec tions dif f erentl y of f s et outW a rds
f rom th e ex terior s ide of th e rec eiv er W h en th e s el ec tor is
c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er;
W h erein one of th e of f s et s urf a c e s ec tions is s ub s ta ntia l l y
s urrounded b y a noth er of th e of f s et s urf a c e s ec tions
h a v ing th e outermos t of f s et s urf a c e.
3 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 2 , W h erein th e one of th e of f s et
s urf a c e s ec tions is a c onta c t s urf a c e dis pos ed to c onta c t th e
ex terior s ide of th e rec eiv er,
W h erein, W h en c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er th e s a f ety is mov
a b l e rel a tiv e to th e rec eiv er f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a
s ec ond pos ition, a nd W h erein th e c onta c t s urf a c e s W eeps
a n a rea of th e rec eiv er W h en th e s a f ety is mov ed f rom th e
?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond pos ition, a nd th e s W ept a rea is
h idden, W ith th e s a f ety in eith er th e ?rs t pos ition or th e
s ec ond pos ition b y th e oth er of th e of f s et s urf a c e s ec
tions th a t is ra is ed rel a tiv e to th e c onta c t s urf a c e.
US 8, 1 2 7, 481 B2
4. Th e s a f ety of c l a im 3 , w h erein th e ?rs t pos ition is a s a f e
pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond pos ition is a ?ring pos ition.
5 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 3 , W h erein th e ?rs t pos ition is a n
upper s a f ety pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond pos ition is a
l oW er de- c oc k pos ition.
6 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 2 , W h erein th e model 1 91 1 s emia u
toma tic pis tol is a da pted f or b oth s ingl e a c tion a nd doub l e
a c tion opera tion.
7. Th e s a f ety of c l a im 3 , W h erein th e a noth er of th e of f s et
s urf a c e s ec tions c ompris es a ra is ed s urf a c e pa ra l l el to th e
c onta c t s urf a c e, a nd W h erein th ere is a s pa c ed ga p b etW een th e
ra is ed s urf a c e a nd th e rec eiv er W h en th e s el ec tor is c oupl ed to
th e rec eiv er.
8. An a mb idex trous th umb s a f ety a da pted to b e c oupl ed to
a model 1 91 1 rec eiv er, th e s a f ety c ompris ing:
a righ t s el ec tor c a pa b l e of b eing piv ota l l y c oupl ed to a ?rs t
s ide of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er s o th a t W h en c oupl ed,
th e righ t s el ec tor c a n piv ot rel a tiv e to th e rec eiv er a b out
a n a x is of rota tion, th e righ t s el ec tor h a v ing a righ t
s urf a c e portion a rra nged f or c onta c ting th e ?rs t s ide, a nd
h a v ing a righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom th e righ t
s urf a c e portion a nd dis pos ed to f a c e th e ?rs t s ide W h en
th e righ t s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e ?rs t s ide, th e of f s et of
th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion rel a tiv e to th e righ t s ur
f a c e portion b eing a W a y f rom th e ?rs t s ide W h en th e righ t
s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er;
a l ef t s el ec tor c a pa b l e of b eing piv ota l l y c oupl ed to a s ec
ond s ide of th e model 1 91 1 rec eiv er, oppos ite th e ?rs t
s ide s o th a t W h en c oupl ed, th e l ef t s el ec tor c a n piv ot
rel a tiv e to th e rec eiv er a b out th e a x is of rota tion, th e l ef t
s el ec tor b eing interc onnec ta b l e to th e righ t s el ec tor a nd
h a v ing a l ef t s urf a c e portion a rra nged f or c onta c ting th e
s ec ond s ide, a nd a l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion of f s et f rom
th e l ef t s urf a c e portion a nd dis pos ed to f a c e th e s ec ond
s ide W h en th e l ef t s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e s ec ond s ide,
th e of f s et of th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion rel a tiv e to th e
l ef t s urf a c e portion b eing a W a y f rom th e s ec ond s ide
W h en th e l ef t s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er;
W h erein W h en c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er, th e s a f ety is rota t
a b l e rel a tiv e to th e rec eiv er f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a
s ec ond pos ition, a nd W h erein th e righ t s urf a c e portion
s W eeps a righ t s W ept a rea on th e rec eiv er, W h en th e
s a f ety is rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond
pos ition, a nd th e righ t s W ept a rea is c ov ered s ub s ta n
tia l l y in its entirety b y th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion
W h en th e s a f ety is in b oth th e ?rs t pos ition a nd th e
s ec ond pos ition, a nd W h erein th e l ef t s urf a c e portion
s W eeps a l ef t s W ept a rea on th e rec eiv er, W h en th e s a f ety
is rota ted f rom th e ?rs t pos ition to th e s ec ond pos ition,
a nd th e l ef t s W ept a rea is c ov ered s ub s ta ntia l l y in its
entirety b y th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion W h en th e s a f ety
is in b oth th e ?rs t pos ition a nd th e s ec ond pos ition.
9. Th e s a f ety of c l a im 8, W h erein th e ?rs t pos ition is a s a f e
pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond pos ition is a ?ring pos ition.
1 0. Th e s a f ety of c l a im 8, W h erein th e ?rs t pos ition is a
s a f ety pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond pos ition is a de- c oc k
pos ition.
2 0
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
1 0
1 1 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 8, W h erein th e model 1 91 1 s emi
a utoma tic pis tol is a da pted f or a t l ea s t one of s ingl e a c tion or
doub l e a c tion opera tion.
1 2 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 8, W h erein th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e
portion is s ub s ta ntia l l y pa ra l l el to th e righ t s urf a c e portion,
a nd W h en th e righ t s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er th ere is
a righ t s pa c ed ga p b etW een th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e portion
a nd th e ?rs t s ide, a nd W h erein th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion is
s ub s ta ntia l l y pa ra l l el to th e l ef t s urf a c e portion, a nd th ere is a
l ef t s pa c ed ga p b etW een th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion a nd th e
s ec ond s ide W h en th e l ef t s el ec tor is c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er.
1 3 . Th e s a f ety of c l a im 8, W h erein th e righ t ra is ed s urf a c e
portion s ub s ta ntia l l y s urrounds th e righ t s urf a c e portion, a nd
th e l ef t ra is ed s urf a c e portion s ub s ta ntia l l y s urrounds th e l ef t
s urf a c e portion.
1 4. A s emia utoma tic pis tol c ompris ing:
a rec eiv er;
a b a rrel c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er;
a b rea c h s l ide c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er;
a ?ring mec h a nis m c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er; a nd
a s el ec tor mov a b l y c oupl ed to th e rec eiv er, th e s el ec tor
h a v ing a s ub s ta ntia l l y ?a t portion dis pos ed to ex tend
a dj a c ent to a nd a l ongs ide a n ex terior s ide of th e rec eiv er,
th e ?a t portion h a v ing a n opera tor a c tua ting ta b proj ec t
ing f rom a n outer s urf a c e of th e ?a t portion a nd h a v ing
a n interior s urf a c e a rra nged to f a c e th e ex terior s ide of
th e rec eiv er, th e interior s urf a c e h a v ing dif f erent of f s et
s urf a c e s ec tions dif f erentl y of f s et outW a rds f rom th e
ex terior s ide of th e rec eiv er W h en th e s el ec tor is c oupl ed
to th e rec eiv er;
W h erein one of th e of f s et s urf a c e s ec tions is a c onta c t
s urf a c e dis pos ed to c onta c t th e ex terior s ide of th e
rec eiv er a nd W h erein, th e s a f ety is mov a b l e rel a tiv e to
th e rec eiv er f rom a ?rs t pos ition to a s ec ond pos ition, a nd
W h erein th e c onta c t s urf a c e s W eeps a n a rea of th e
rec eiv er W h en th e s a f ety is mov ed f rom th e ?rs t pos ition
to th e s ec ond pos ition, a nd th e s W ept a rea is h idden
s ub s ta ntia l l y in its entirety, W ith th e s a f ety in b oth th e
?rs t pos ition a nd th e s ec ond pos ition b y a noth er of th e
of f s et s urf a c e s ec tions th a t is ra is ed rel a tiv e to th e c on
ta c t s urf a c e.
1 5 . Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol of c l a im 1 4 W h erein th e ?rs t
pos ition is a s a f e pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond pos ition is
a ?ring pos ition.
1 6 . Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol of c l a im 1 4, W h erein th e
pis tol is a model 1 91 1 s emi- a utoma tic pis tol .
1 7. Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol of c l a im 1 4, W h erein th e
s el ec tor is a n a mb idex trous s el ec tor, a nd W h erein th e pis tol is
a model 1 91 1 s emi- a utoma tic pis tol .
1 8. Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol of c l a im 1 4, W h erein th e
pis tol is a model 1 91 1 s emi- a utoma tic pis tol , a nd W h erein th e
?rs t pos ition is a s a f ety pos ition, a nd W h erein th e s ec ond
pos ition is a de- c oc k pos ition.
1 9. Th e s emia utoma tic pis tol of c l a im 1 4, W h erein th e
s emia utoma tic pis tol is a da pted f or a t l ea s t one of s ingl e
a c tion or doub l e a c tion opera tion.
* * * * *